January 12th - Reflection by Bill Lynch

2 Corinthians 10:1-11 (NRSV)
Corinthian behavior during Paul's absence
I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away! I ask that when I am present I need not show boldness by daring to oppose those who think we are acting according to human standards. Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. We are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete.

Look at what is before your eyes. If you are confident that you belong to Christ, remind yourself of this, that just as you belong to Christ, so also do we. Now, even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem as though I am trying to frighten you with my letters. For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible." Let such people understand that what we say by letter when absent, we will also do when present.

Reflection
Paul changes things up a little here. Previously he was writing "we" now he writes "I." Paul is making his testimony personal.

As Christians we need the "we" or the corporate aspect of our faith. We need one another. There is no way we can live in this world without the "we" in life and in our Church to sustain us. We need Christ and we need one another in order to live our faith.

But we also need to come from the "I" of our faith. I need to be able and willing to stand up with Christ, my faith and my God. I need to be able and willing to take a stand for the "we" of this world. So as we look at what is happening around us each and every day; may we, the "I's" stand up for our friends and neighbors in need through the love Jesus has taught us.

Prayer
Lord, be with me and all your children as we live out the love you have shown us... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen